MUMS may be superheroes, but they don't always have to be.
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NSW northeast mother of two, midwife and Birth Beat founder Edwina Sharrock, Tamworth, has shared her personal journey of going through postnatal anxiety, after the birth of her son six years ago.
"I teach childbirth education, so you would expect me to have it all together, and that's why it came as such a surprise," Mrs Sharrock told the Leader.
She was a guest on a recent podcast episode of the Let's Talk series, where she opened up about her experience and spoke about perinatal mental health.
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"I was finding it really hard to find joy in that early stage, and I was lucky to have a supportive family and we could resolve it quickly," she said.
Perinatal depression and anxiety are two different conditions that manifest in various ways for many new parents - both mums and dads - during pregnancy and the bub's first year of life.
Mrs Sharrock said despite the prevalence of it, there's still a stigma about reaching out for mental health help.
"I think you feel a bit guilty that you are not happy and loving this newborn baby period," she said.
"It's about having the courage and taking the first step to speaking to someone and knowing it's okay to not be okay."
Mrs Sharrock said the earlier someone gets help, the faster they can feel better.
But, others also have a role to play.
"New mums are judged very heavily," Mrs Sharrock said.
"What we can do is look after new and expecting parents and treat them with kindness."
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program local coordinator Kate Arndell is also featured on the podcast.
She said there are huge barriers to seeking help for perinatal mental health support, and they're even bigger in the bush.
"People want to project the image that they've got it all together, but it's normal to feel completely overwhelmed," she said.
"There is a lot of expectation on women and carers that the pregnancy and first year of their child's life will be this magical, amazing, fulfilling time, and sometimes when that's not the case for somebody, there can be a lot of guilt and silence.
"Mental illness, rightly or wrongly, does not discriminate."
Listen to the podcast here, or find it on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally go for podcasts.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
